The Caravan magazine’s website has published an internal Central Board of Film Certification (CBFC) memo to its regional offices, with a list of words that should be banned from movies and other media it is responsible for censoring.
The apparently stricter censorship regime, which first attracted attention earlier this month when a song’s lyrics in a music video were bleeped out during the word “Bombay”, includes 13 English language words and phrases and 15 in Hindi.
Disclaimer: Do not continue reading if you are easily offended. The following is reproduced for the purposes of study by academics and lawyers only.
It encompasses, at the tamer end of the spectrum:
Bastard
Son of a Bitch
Masturbating
Screw
Dick
Pussy
Asshole
The F word, is mentioned in five separate phrases and combinations, alongside slang for fellatio:
Fuck, Fucker or Fucking
Mother fucker
Fucking cunt
Fucking dick
Bitch or Fucking Bitch
Cock sucker
The Hindi list also outlaws “violence against woman” [sic], notes that “bloodshed should not be glorified”, that:
“change of name Bombay to Mumbai as per Govt of Maharashtra’s notification dated 4/9/96”
and apparently outlaws “double meaning any kind of words”.
So there, now we know.
Hat-tip @saliltripathi on Twitter
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It is ok to display these words in a public notice but not say them in a movie?
So is saali - Wife's sister
Shameful.
Cheers!
Article 19(2) provides for limitations on 19(1)(a). It mandates a 'law'. This circular is not 'law', at best, it can be said to be a 'provision' [much like what has been referred to in Articles 16(4) and (4A)]. The two are quite distinct in constitutional jurisprudence. Therefore, Article 19(1)(a) is watered down in a manner that is not mandated by the Constitution. In the present case the CBFC seems to be going beyond the scope of its powers and functions under the Act of 1952.
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